HARARE, ZIMBABWE – A two-day training workshop on artificial intelligence has equipped two dozen journalism students from across the country with crucial digital skills, highlighting both the opportunities and ethical challenges presented by AI in modern media.
The training, held July 15-16 at the Jameson Hotel, brought together 20 students from Africa University and the Christian College of Southern Africa, with an overwhelming majority of female participants.
The workshop, which included hands-on sessions with AI-powered content creation tools, was designed to bridge the gap between traditional journalism education and the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Organizers emphasized the need for future journalists to not only understand how to use AI for reporting and editing but also to critically evaluate its output and guard against its potential misuse.
“The core of journalism remains unchanged, but the tools are evolving at a breakneck pace,” said one of the facilitators, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the program’s outcomes. “Our goal was to empower these students to be at the forefront of this change, using AI to enhance their reporting without compromising on journalistic integrity.”
The training focused on both the practical and theoretical aspects of AI. On the first day, students explored how AI is already being used in newsrooms globally, including a case study of a Nigerian newsroom that used AI to analyze thousands of government documents. They then got a chance to use tools like Heygen, an AI video generation platform, successfully creating and sharing videos.
A key part of the first day’s curriculum was a group activity where students were challenged to generate images and write captions for social media. This exercise not only tested their technical skills but also forced them to consider the ethical implications of creating AI-generated content.
Ethical considerations were a recurring theme throughout the workshop. Discussions centered on the risks of misinformation, plagiarism, and an over-reliance on AI, which could lead to a “deskilling” of journalists. Participants debated the importance of fact-checking and the potential for AI algorithms to perpetuate bias.
The second day delved into the more complex issues surrounding digital security and the identification of AI-generated content. Students, many of whom had only a basic understanding of digital safety, learned about advanced topics such as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), recognizing phishing threats, and securing digital workspaces. They also practiced techniques for identifying AI-generated media, an increasingly vital skill in an age of sophisticated deepfakes.
Perhaps the most animated part of the workshop was a group discussion where students raised concerns about the limitations and cultural biases of current AI systems. A notable point of contention was the lack of Southern African language representation in AI voice and language models, leading to mispronunciations and cultural distortions. Participants passionately argued for national efforts to develop and integrate local languages into AI systems, with some advocating for government support for such initiatives.
“When an AI tries to speak in Shona or Ndebele, it often sounds unnatural and can even change the meaning of a word,” said one female participant from Africa University. “We need our own local language voice cloning technology. This is a matter of cultural preservation, not just convenience.”
Another participant raised a more philosophical concern, referencing the animated film “Where is Wally,” to illustrate a societal passivity that could arise from an over-reliance on technology. They warned against a future where AI does all the work, leaving humans as passive observers.
The training culminated in students developing personal action plans for the responsible integration of AI into their journalistic work. Pre- and post-workshop assessments showed a notable improvement in participants’ AI literacy, with a significant increase in their understanding of ethical challenges and digital security practices. The active engagement from participants, reflected in the lively group discussions and collaborative assignments, was a key indicator of the workshop’s success.
The organizers concluded the workshop by recommending that AI ethics and practical use be formally included in journalism curricula at a national level. They also called for ongoing dialogue between educational institutions, media houses, and policymakers to ensure that the development and application of AI in journalism serve the public good.
“This is just the beginning,” the facilitator said. “We have given them the foundation. It is now up to them to build on it and shape the future of journalism in a way that is ethical, responsible, and inclusive.”
